Children’s photos on the wall and the fridge, nominations above the window, a backyard full of well-loved play equipment, including a boat to let the imagination soar and trampoline to jump into the sky.
It is a place for toddlers and children to grow early memories while also being a place full of nostalgia for early 2000 kids.
Most importantly, this is where the Family Day Care (FDC) Tamworth and North West Regional Educator of the Year operates.
The “wonderful families” that Carrie Leader works with nominated her for the FDC Educator of the Year Award which acknowledges educators for their work.
As the name suggests, her family’s lives have been ingrained into the business and Carrie believes they were “probably more excited” than she was about receiving the award.
“[My children] are thrilled because they have grown up sharing a parent and having their backyard not always theirs,” she said.
“They had to put up with locks on the cupboards and things like that, having to shut the gate and put things away.
“Having to respect my business in their home.”
The educator is not one to enjoy the limelight but she now has no option after receiving the regional title.
Carrie’s nominations for the award from the last 10 years are proudly on her living room wall, but now she can add that gratifying honour right beside them.
“I was just surprised,” she said. “I know I am only one out of a thousand people or more who would be in the running for it.
“What I do everyday is my passion, so to receive an award for something I do is wonderful.
Carrie stated the “love of children” kick started her career, having a background of babysitting while working at the Commonwealth Bank.
She always felt a connection with children and would rather play with the youngsters at a party than be with the adults.
After her ‘daycare mum’ broke her arm, she offered to look after the children and within three months was enrolled with FDC.
Trying to juggle work, life, family and being a mother to three children, (one of which with a disability), was difficult and going to a centre was not an option.
“[FDC] gave me more flexibility in my working life to be around for them,” she said.
Carrie had her reservations at first as to whether it would work in her own home, especially with the family sharing space with a business, but more than a decade later she is still in full force.
“I will probably retire in my backyard,” the educator said.
Many of the children in Carrie’s care started at just a few months old and some are well into teenagehood.
She has begun recognising them behind the counter at Woolworths or out and about with their families.
It takes a moment for the realisation to click into place for the children but once it does, that is when Carrie hears all “the great stories”.
She currently has 13 children in her care including those in before and after school care.
“You form such an important bond with children and their families that makes your career worthwhile,” she said and emphasised her fortune of having a career that “enriches” her own life.
“They are happy to come here because it is a part of a family,” she said.
“It is a sense of belonging to this area and environment.”
One of the adversities faced by FDC educators is the ongoing need to prove the job is more than ‘babysitting’.
Educators are trained under the Education and Care Services national Regulations and Law and have a minimum required qualification of Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care, with Carrie holding a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care.
“We are not backyard babysitters. We are equal to educators who work in centres,” she stated.
The next step for Carrie will be an award ceremony in Sydney next month to see if she takes the state’s title.
Magnus Nichols, Isla Wilkinson, Evie Wharton and Stirling Nichols showing off their rocks with educator Carrie Leader.
To order photos from this page click here